Former President Donald Trump, in an unexpected shift from his usual hardline position on immigration, stated that he would like foreign students graduating from US colleges to be given automatic green cards. In an interview with the “All-In” podcast, Trump said, “What I want to do and what I will do is…” he continued, “…you graduate from a college, you should automatically get a green card as part of your diploma.” He offered this same scheme to graduates of two year junior colleges and those who complete doctoral programs.
This is good news for Indian students studying in US universities. The number of Indians going for higher education in America registered its highest number ever during 2022-23 academic session. This represented a remarkable increase of 35% compared to the preceding year.
According to data released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), over 200000 Indian students are taking courses at various institutions across America. It is worth mentioning that this significant rise reflects India’s emerging trend of young people seeking educational opportunities overseas. Notably, the United States has become one of the most popular destinations for such students owing to global standard universities as well as chance of getting international exposure and improving career prospects.
“Departure from anti-immigrant rhetoric”
Trump’s remarks signify a departure from his regular negative talks about immigrants when he portrays them in terms that regard them as public safety threats or job security or government resources [L5]. Asked whether he plans on importing “best and brightest” from all over the world [L6], Trump responds: “I do promise.” He tells stories about highly educated professionals who come out of top colleges but are forced to go back home after graduation due to restrictions in their visas leading them into being successful entrepreneurs with thousands under their employ [L7].
The Green Card or Permanent Resident Card is very important when it comes to gaining citizenship in the US. Trump’s plan seeks to retain talented individuals who have been educate in America, as opposed to the present policies that end up pushing such graduates back to their home countries.
The remarks by the Republican candidate came after President Joe Biden had opened a new path for citizenship of immigrants married to Americans – a move viewed as counterbalancing his recent stringent measures against illegal border crossings [L14].
“I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here… and they can’t. They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multibillionaires employing thousands and thousands of people,” Trump lamented on Wednesday [L15].
Trump’s proposal would be limit only to thoroughly vetted foreign graduates willing and able to make significant contributions towards America’s prosperity but without undercutting American wages or workers. Karoline Leavitt later shared that the former president had outlined most extensive background checks ever in US history for excluding “all communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges.”
